USS Gerald Ford

In August 2023, MAR spent an afternoon onboard US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford (CVN78). During this visit, MAR managed to get within touching distance of the flight operations which helped them understand the complex air operations required to seamlessly launch and recover aircraft from an aircraft carrier of this might.

Click on the following link to find out more.

Anatolian Eagle

From the 1st of May till the 12th May, the Turkish Air Force hosted the multi-national exercise Anatolian Eagle 2023 at the Third Main Jet Base, Konya, Turkey. Due to the significance of the exercise and the participants that this exercise normally attracts, MAR attended the media and spotters day to report on this very interesting exercise.

Click on the following link to find out more.

Polizia

In the heart of Boccadifalco, Palermo, the 4° Reparto Volo (4th Flight Department) of the Italian Police operates with unwavering dedication to maintain law and order across the vast expanse of Sicily and Italy’s southernmost isles, such as Lampedusa, Linosa and Pantelleria. During an exclusive visit to their premises, MAR was able to witness first-hand the impressive work carried out by this aviation division.

Click on the following link to find out more.

Cobra Warrior

For three weeks in March 2023, around 70 military aircraft participated in the biannual Exercise Cobra Warrior, which took centre stage at RAF Waddington in the United Kingdom. The exercise ran from Monday 6th March and ended on Friday 24th March.Cobra Warrior is the largest military exercise organised and run by the Royal Air Force, through which participants learn how to operate in high intensity large force, tactical air warfighting operations.

Click on the following link to find out more.

Guardia Di Finanza

The Guardia Di Finanza (GDiF) Air Unit at Palermo-Boccadifalco Aerodrome forms part of the Servizio Aereo (Air Service) of the Guardia di Finanza and hierarchically depends on the Reparto Operativo Aeronavale di Palermo (R.O.A.N.).

The Servizio Aereo of the Guardia di Finanza is responsible for conducting air surveillance, patrolling Italy’s borders, and supporting law enforcement activities. 

Click on the following link to find out more.

MCAS Miramar Airshow

In 2022, Miramar hosted its first airshow post the pandemic. Since the airshow at Miramar is marketed as one of the largest military airshows in the US, large crowds were expected during the three day show on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th September.

MAR opted to gain access to the base on the media day, to ensure that the large crowds did not not interfere with photography. 

Click on the following link to find out more.

USS Nitze

Recently, members of MAR had the unique opportunity to visit USS Nitze whilst on a port call at the Grand Harbour.

Read more about this visit by selecting the following link.

FS Alsace

On Friday 17^th of February, MAR had the opportunity to visit the French multi-mission frigate Alsace (D656) whilst on a port call at the Grand Harbour.

Read more about this visit by selecting the following link.

Leonardo Search & Rescue Workshop

The first ever edition of the Leonardo Search & Rescue Workshop was held in Malta on the 27th and 28th of April, 2022.

Read more about this event by selecting the following link.

Vrazhdebna Air Base

During September 2022 one of MAR’s members had the opportunity to visit Vrazhdebna Air Base, also known as the 16th Transport Air Base, located near the village of Vrazhdebna, 10 kilometers northwest of Sofia, Bulgaria.

Click on the following link to find out more.

Exercise Real Thaw 22

The annual two week military exercise of Real Thaw took place between the 27th June until the 8th July. Real Thaw aims to enhance joint training and provide participants with a wide range of tactical missions, with the intention of sharing knowledge, increasing integration, promoting innovation and strengthening ties between NATO partners.

Click on the following link to find out more.

Exercise Iniochos 22

The annual two week military exercise of Iniochos took place between the 28th March until the 8th April. Iniochos is an annual military exercise organised by the Hellenic Air Force with help from NATO and is staged at Andravida Air Base in Western Greece, home to the Hellenic Air Force’s Air Tactics Centre.

Click on the following link to find out more.

Cyprus Police Aviation Unit – Larnaca

Check out the air assets and the work carried out by the Αστυνομία Κύπρου Aviation Unit in our latest article! During our tour of the country, on November 9th 2021, MAR was granted permission to visit the Cyprus Police Aviation Unit based at Larnaca Airport. We would like to thank the Police HQ and Cyprus Police Aviation Unit for letting us visit them.

Click on the following link to find out more.

United Nations Peace Keeping Force – Nicosia

On the 8th of November 2021, MAR kicked off its tour of Cyprus with a visit to the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and the Argentinian Air Force Flight Unit located at the abandoned Nicosia Airport within the Buffer Zone.

Click on the following link to find out more.

North Macedonia Air Force

In October, MAR was invited to spend 3 days at Skopje Petrovec Airbase, home to the entire fleet of North Macedonia’s Air Force consisting of Mi-8s, Mi-17s, Mi-24s, Zlin 242s, and the Bell 206 Jet Ranger III.

One can find a detailed report about the Air Force and all our activities on base here, which included sunset shoots, night shoots, and air-to-air session with a Mi-17 and Bell 206.

The Aviation Magazine – Issue 79
UN Peace Keeping Force – Cyprus

The Aviation Magazine – Issue 78
Skopje Petrovec – North Macedonia

The Aviation Magazine – Issue 77
Sigonella Air Base – Italy

The Aviation Magazine – Issue 69
Osan Air Base – South Korea

Pucara Magazine – March 2022
UN Peace Keeping Force – Cyprus

Scramble Magazine – Feb 20
Osan Air Base – South Korea